15 teams that could give Alabama fits in 2017
By Brad Weiss
LSU Tigers
, Southeastern Conference
In what will be Ed Orgeron’s first full season as the head coach at LSU, the Tigers come into the season with one of the best running backs in the country once again. While Leonard Fournette was the big-name back on the unit last season, it will be Derrius Guice’s show in 2017. In truth, Guice was the best back in the SEC last season, even after starting the year behind Fournette, who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
While the plan will certainly be for Guice to carry the load on offense, expect the play of quarterback Danny Etling to get better. Etling had back surgery this offseason, and should do well in new offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s new system. This Tigers team has a tough road ahead of them playing in the same division as Alabama, where the two will do battle on November 4.
On the defensive side of the ball, just as they do on offense, the Tigers have one of the best playmakers in the country. Arden Key is going to be a top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and should bring incredible pressure on Hurts from his defensive end/outside linebacker position. Outside of Key, the Tigers return only four starters on defense, which could prove to be their undoing this season.
The matchup with Alabama during the regular season is going to be a tough one, as the Tide will take on the Tigers at home, and coming off a bye week. Still, with how talented both rosters are this season, the game should certainly be a good one. A win against Alabama could set the Tigers up to win the division, which would be a major upset for the Crimson Tide.